Desk or table attachment for folding chairs



Feb. 28, 1961 c. s. CELESTE DESK OR TABLE ATTACHMENT FOR FOLDING CHAIRSFiled July 3, 1958 JNVENTOR.

l www@ Feb. 28, 1961 c. s. CELESTE 2,973,028 DESK OR TABLE ATTACHMENTFOR FOLDING CHAIRS l Filed July 3, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1N V EN TOR.@wwf/2@ Sks 2"@ L60 b -d v TT/YEYS" DESK R TABLE ATTACHMENT FR FOLDINGCHAIRS Carmine S. Celeste, 1546 Virginia Ave., Monaca, Pa.

Filed July 3, 1958, Ser. No. 746,373

9 Claims. (Cl. 155-123) This invention relates to novel attachments forchairs to provide a tray, desk, shelf, or table surface Iprojectingrearwardly from the backs of chairs.

The desirability of a device of the character stated is of course wellappreciated. For example, in churches, auditoriums, etc., a device ofthe character described can be used to support hymnals, program books,etc. and can even be used as a storage place for said books. Further, inschools the device can comprise either a temporary or permanent desk forpupils. By reason of the invention, a plurality of folding chairs can bequickly set up, to accommodate extra pupils eiciently while stillavoiding the expense of heavy, permanent-type desks that cannot befolded and moved to a storage area.

To obviate the diiiiculties which have been noted in connection withpermanent desks and equivalent pieces of furniture, land to providechair and desk means that can be swiftly erected, and that can becollapsed and stored away with equal ease, it is proposed in carryingout the present invention to provide an attachment which is designedespecially for fitting over the back of a folding chair. However, aswill presently appear, the attachment need not be limited to use onlywith folding chairs, and can be applied to the back of any type of chairhaving the properly shaped back frame, shaped to receive the devicecomprising the present invention.

Another more particular object of the invention is to provide anattachment of the character stated which will itself be of a foldablenature, so as to be collapsed into a substantially fiat conditionagainst the chair back when not in use.

Another object is to so form the device that when moved to itsoperative, unfolded position, it can, in at least one form of theinvention, be adjustable to a selected position of inclination, designedto acconnnodate the particular user with maximum comfort.

Another object is to provide a device as stated which, when unfolded,will at least in one form provide not only a surface on which one maysupport a book, or on which one may write, but also a lower surfacewhich provides a storage shelf.

Another object is to provide a device of the character stated which willnot require modification or redesign in any way of a chair to which itis applied, and which can be removed bodily from the chair without theuse of special tools.

Another object, in all forms of the invention, is to provide a chairattachment of the character stated which, despite its markedversatility, will nevertheless be capable of manufacture at a relativelylow cost.

Other objects will appear from the following description, the claimsappended thereto, and from the annexed drawings, in which like referencecharacters designate like parts throughout the several views, andwherein:

Figure l is a side elevational View of a folding chair to which has beensecured a chair attachment according to the present invention, saidattachment fbeing shown in full tent C ICC and dotted lines in operativeand inoperative positions respectively;

Figure 2, is a fragmentary elevational view of the chair with the deviceattached, vas Seen from the left of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary rear elevational view of the chair, showingthe device as seen from the right of Figure 1;

Figure 4'is a horizontal section taken substantially on line 4 4 of-Figure l;

Figure 5 is a horizontal section of 'the device `as seen from line 5--5of Figure l;

.Figure 6 is `a detail sectional view of the device taken substantiallyon line 6--6 of Figure 2;

Figure 7 is a reduced side elevational view of a chair equipped with anattachment of the type shown in Figure l, wherein the attach-ment hasbeen slightly modified to provide special bracing means;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary rear elevational view of the device as shownin Figure 7, as seen from the right of Figure 7, the dotted linesshowing the brace means as it appears while being detached;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a chair equipped withanother modified form of the attachment;

Figure l10 is an elevational view of the device shown in Figure 9, asseen from the right of Figure 9;

Figure 11 is an enlarged vertical section through still another form ofthe invention in its open position;

Figure l2 is a View like Figure 11 in which the device has been moved toa folded or inoperative position;

Figure 13 .is a side elevational View of the device shown in Figure l1,a portion being broken away, with the device in its folded position;

Figure 14 is a horizontal section on line 14-14 of Figure 11; and

Figure 15 is a horizontal section on line .15--15 of Figure 1l.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the form of the invention shown inFigures l -to 6, includes vertical tubular side rails 14, between whicha transversely curved back plate 16 is ixedly connected, the upper endof the plate being secured over the cross member 17 at the upper ends ofthe rails 14.

The chair back attachment 12, shown in Figures 1 to 6, has mountingmeans which comprises an inverted U- shaped channel 18 which extendsalong and is engaged removably around the side rails 14 and the crossmember 17.

Fixedly secured to and projecting rearwardly from the legs 18 of thechannel 18 are vertically, rearwardly extending parallel flanges 20 ofapproximately right-triangular configuration, and a horizontal plate 21extends between and is xedly connected to the bottom edges of theflanges 2t).

The attachment further comprises a desk assembly 19 having a rearwardlydeclining flat top wall 22 having along its rear edge an upstandingflange 24. The top wall 22 provides a table or desk surface, when theassembly 19 is in its elevated operative position, as shown in Figure 1.

The top wall vIZZ'has along its side edges rigid depending side walls 26which have txedly connected to their bottom edge a bottom wall 28, sothat an open-ended box form is produced which provides a storagecompartment 29, in which articles may be kept while the device is inUSC.

The desk assembly 19 is pivoted on the flanges Ztl by pivot pins 30which extend through the lower ends of the flanges 20 and throughforwardly extending laterally outw-ardly oiset ears 31 on lower portionsof the side walls 26, so that, in its elevated position, shown in Figurel,

3 y the walls of the assembly 19 abut the walls of the mounting support.Latch dogs 32 are pivoted at 34 on the outer sides of the side walls 26,at points spaced above and rearwardly of the pivots 30. The dogs 32extend beyond the forward edges of the side walls 26 and have notches 36in their lower edges which are adapted to engage over detent pins 3Swhich project from the outer sides of the mounting means fianges 20.

In Figures 9 and 10 there is shown a modified construction, wherein thedevice 38 comprises a channel 40 which is like the member 18.

Projecting rearwardly from the upper portion of the channel 40 is atransversely, horizontally extending piano hinge 42, and connected tothe member 40 by said hinge 42 is a desk assembly comprising plate 44providing a desk or table surface and having an upwardly projectingflange 46 on its rear edge. Extending downwardly 'from intermediateportions of opposite side edges of the plate 44 are ears 48.

A U-shaped brace 50 has its bight portion extending through and pivotedin the ears 48, its legs having on their free ends notched heads 51which are removably engageable with selected ones of vertical rows ofheaded pins 52 that project laterally outwardly from the legs of thechannel 4t). By reason of this arrangement, adjustment of theinclination of the plate 44 is provided for. Disengagement of thenotched heads S1 from the pins 52 permits the desk assembly to swingdownwardly to a collapsed position.

In Figures 11-15 there is shown another modified form of the invention,generally designated S4. The form 54 includes a U-shaped channel 56which has on its forward side a plate 57 that extends there across andin front of the chair back 1t), as clearly seen in Figure 14. The plate,though of fiat formation, could be curved correspondingly to the plate16 of the chair back, so as to be disposed in face-to-face contacttherewith.

Plate 57 at its top is integral with a rearwardly projecting flange 58,and at its sides is integral with rearwardly projecting vertical flanges60. A bottom wall 62 is fixedly connected between the lower edges of theiianges 60.

Designated at 64 is a plate usable as a desk, tray, or table surface.r1`his is reinforced through the provision of depending longitudinalside flanges 68 integrally formed thereon (Figures 11 and 13). At therear free edge of plate 64 there is integrally provided an upstandingflange 70. Latch dogs 72 are pivotally connected at 73 Ito `the outersides of the Side anges 62, and are adapted to extend rearwardlytherefrom to engage laterally outwardly projecting latch pins 74provided on -the outer sides of the side flanges 68, the latch dogshaving notches 75 in their lower edges to engage over the pins 74, so asto hold the desk `assembly in its pendant collapsed position, shown inFigures l2 and 13.

When the plate 64 is swung upwardly to its use position, it is supportedby a brace 76 of U-shape (Figure 15) having a horizontally, transverselyextending bight portion 77 journaled in downwardly struck sleeves 78 onplate 64. The legs 79 of the brace, adjacent their free ends, have stopcollars 80.

Vertically elongated angle brackets 82 are fixedly secured to the innersurfaces of the flanges, 60 and have flanges 83 which are formed withvertical rows of openings 85, any of which can receive the free ends ofthe legs 79, with 'stop collars 80 bearing against the flanges 83.Through the provision of a plurality of openings in each bracket, theinclination of the plate 64 can be adjusted according to the desire of aparticular user.

Designated at 84 is a shelf, which is hingedly connected as at S6, atits forward edge, upon the bottom wall 62, forwardly of the bottom wall62. Plate 84 is swingable between its depressed horizontal positionshown in Figure 11, to an inoperative, upwardly swung position, shown inFigure 12. Bottom wall A62 serves as an abut- 4 ment limiting swingingdownward movement of the shelf 84 `below its operative horizontalposition.

Referring to Figures 7 and 8, there is here shown a modification whichis identical to the form shown in Figure 1, except for the provision ofadditional brace means to hold the desk assembly up to its operativeposition. The additional brace means comprises a U-shaped brace 88,having legs 89, the upper ends of which are formed with inwardlyprojecting extensions 91 which are engaged rotatably in sleeves fixed onthe rear part of the bottom wall 28. Legs 89, at their lower ends, areintegrally connected to a bight portion 94 which has forwardly offsetportions at its opposite ends, which are formed with rearwardly openingnotches 96, which are engageable with pins 92 projecting outwardly fromlower portions of the legs 97 of the chair 10.

It will be seen that when the retaining bracket or brace 88 is in itsFigure 7 position, it will provide a very effective, strong support forthe desk assembly 12, so that the device can actually be used as aschool desk.

It is believed apparent that the invention is not necessarily confinedto the specio use or uses thereof described above, since it may beutilized for any purpose to which it may be suited. Nor is the inventionto be necessarily limited to the specific construction illustrated anddescribed, since such construction is only intended to be illustrativeof the principles of operation and the means presently devised to carryout said principles, it being considered that the invention comprehendsany minor change in construction that may be permitted within the scopeof the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a chair having a back comprising vertical side railsand a cross member extending between the upper ends of the rails, aU-shaped channel mounting member having a bight portion engaged oversaid cross member and legs engaged over said side rails, and verticalflanges fixed to said legs and extending rearwardly therefrom, saidanges having upper and lower ends and rear edges, a desk assembly havingforward and rear ends, means horizontally pivoting the desk assembly atits forward end on said mounting member to swing from a horizontaloperative position to a pendant inoperative position, and means adaptedto extend between the desk assembly and portions on said flanges forholding the desk assembly up in its operative position.

2. The combination of claim 1, wherein said holding means compriseslatch dogs pivoted on the sides of the desk assembly, said dogs havingnotches, and lateral pins on said flanges over which the notches areengageable.

3. The combination of claim l, wherein said holding means compriseslatch dogs pivoted on the sides of the desk assembly, said dogs havingnotches, and lateral pins on said anges over which the notches areengageable, and a brace pivoted to the desk assembly and extendingdownwardly therefrom and having a free lower end removably engageablewith a part of the chair only in the operative position of the deskassembly.

4. The combination of claim l, wherein said holding means comprisesbrace means having an upper end pivoted to and depending from anintermediate part of the desk assembly, said brace means having a freelower end, a bracket means fixed on a fiange of the mounting members andhaving a row of vertically spaced openings in which thelower end of thebrace means is selectively engageable, and stop means on the brace meansengageable with the bracket means and limiting insertion of the lowerend of the brace` means in openings.

5. The combination of claim l, wherein said holding means comprisesbrace means having an upper end pivoted to and depending from anintermediate part of the desk assembly, said Ibrace means having a freelower end, bracket means fixed on a flange of the mounting members andhaving a row of vertically spaced openings in which the lower end of thebrace means is selectively engageable,

and stop means on the brace means engageable with the bracket means andlimiting insertion of the lower en-d of the brace means in openings,said pivot means being a hinge located at the upper end of the mountingmeans, said hinge means being connected to the forward end of the deskassembly at a location spaced above said bracket means.

6. The combination of claim 1, wherein said holding means comprisesbrace means having an upper end pivoted to and depending from anintermediate part of the desk assembly, said brace means having a freelower end, bracket means fixed on a flange of the mounting members andhaving a row of vertically spaced openings in which the lower end of thebrace means is selectively engageable, and stop means on the brace meansengageable with the bracket means and limiting insertion of the lowerend of the brace means in openings, said pivot means being a hingelocated at the upper end of the mounting means, said hinge means beingconnected to the forward end of the desk assembly at a location spacedabove said bracket means, a vertical plate extending across the forwardside of said mounting member and iixed to the bight portion and the legsof the mounting member, said plate having an extension on its upper endreaching rearwardly over said bight portion and to which said hinge isfixed.

7. The combination of claim 1, wherein said desk assembly comprises anopen-ended box form having a top wall providing a writing surface, sidewalls, and a bottom wall providing a storage shelf.

8. The combination of claim 1, wherein said desk assembly comprises anopen-ended box form having a top wall providing a writing surface, sidewalls, and a bottom wall providing a storage shelf, said pivot meanscomprising ears fixed on and extending forwardly from said side wallsand along sides of the anges, and pivots on the anges extending throughthe ears, said holding means being spaced above said ears and saidpivots.

9. The combination of claim 1, wherein said holding means comprisesbrace means having an upper end pivoted to and depending from anintermediate part of the desk assembly, said brace means having a freelower end,

bracket means xed on a ange of the mounting members and having a row ofvertically spaced openings in which the lower end of the brace means isselectively engageable, and stop means on the brace means engageablewith the `bracket means and limiting insertion of the lower end of thebrace means in openings, saidpivot means being a hinge located at theupper end of the mounting means, said hinge means being connected to theforward end of the desk assembly at a location spaced above said bracketmeans, said desk assembly comprising a plate serving as a writingsurface, said plate having a forward end connected to said hinge andhaving depending side flanges, a bottom wall extending between and fixedto said vertical anges at the lower ends thereof, said bottom edgehaving a rear edge, a shelf plate having a forward end portion overlyingthe rear edge of the bottom wall and hinged upon said bottom wall at apoint spaced forwardly from said rear edge to be supported in ahorizontal operative position by the bottom wall, said shelf plate beingswingable upwardly between the desk assembly and the chair back as thedesk assembly is swung downwardly toward its pendant position, and latchmeans on the vertical anges removably engageable with the side flangesof the desk assembly only in the pendant position thereof.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS119,794 Schlag Oct.' 10, 1871 547,830 Yates Oct. 15, 1895 1,227,516Yelinek May 22, 1917 1,448,118 Hoffman Mar. 13, 1923 1,886,217 NoonanNov. 1, 1932 2,436,045 Leinheiser Feb. 17, 1948 2,480,876 Paden Sept. 6,1949 2,487,536 Fiscus Nov. 8, 1949 2,584,179 Adams Feb. 5, 19522,703,426 Barkl Mar. 8, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 30,421 Netherlands Aug. 15,1933 851,834 France Oct. 9, 1939

